Can a charged particle be accelerated by a magnetic field? Can its speed be increased?

Formula used:



Where F is magnetic force


m is mass


a is acceleration


Here the force (magnetic force) which is acting on the charged particle will try to accelerate it. If the charged particle is in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field, then the particle will move in a circular path. In that circular path the direction of the charged particle will change.


Formula used: Magnetic force is given by



Where F is magnetic force


q is electric charge =


v is velocity


Angle between magnetic force and velocity component


Force is always act perpendicular to the direction of velocity of a charged particle. So it can’t change the magnitude of the velocity of the charged particle. Velocity, magnetic field and force are perpendicular to each other. So it can change the direction of the velocity of a charged particle. So our answer is Yes, a charged particle can be accelerated by a magnetic filed but its speed can’t be increase.


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